Tid Bits: Products labeled 'low fat' can contain 3 grams or less of fat per serving.

Weight Loss Program Frequently Asked Questions

Program Highlights:

We have been doing this for over 30 years

Many years combined experience from our health care providers

We use effective medications that are tailored to your specific needs

We provide support

We teach proper eating habits and nutrition

You see a health care provider with every visit

The most effective medically supervised weight loss program in Tucson

Thousands of success stories

We provide guidance, sound advice, and the answers to your questions

Feel good about yourself

We offer a team approach

Stop the cravings for food

Our goal is to help you reach your goal

Saturday appointments for your convenience

More energy

No fad diets! No scams! No HCG!

What are the methods you recommend?

We recommend a healthy combination of proper diet, exercise, and medications. Long term weight loss will require a lifestyle change and we try hard to promote this in our patients.

Can I request an appointment online?

Yes! New patients as well as existing patients can request an appointment on this page We will contact you to confirm your request.

What happens on the first visit?

On you first visit quite a few things happen. First you will fill out some forms to set you up as a patient and to give us a better idea of your needs. Then we will weigh you, get your vital signs, and listen to your heart. We will perform a couple types of body fat analysis to see how much you need to lose and properly determine where your goals should be. We will discuss your goals and expectations and answer any questions that you might have about the program. We will draw some blood to test for problems in many areas including thyroid levels, diabetes, and cholesterol. You will be given some information sheets to help you toward your goals. We will give you medications (based on your individual needs) to take with you.

What types of medications do you use?

We use a wide variety of time tested medications. The particular prescription that you will receive will be based on your individual needs. These medications do not contain ephedra or caffeine. We do not offer Meridia (and we never offered "Fen-Phen"). Prescriptions are normally filled by our in-house pharmacy for your convenience and a significant cost savings. These prescriptions are free with your weight loss visit. The medications and instructions that are given are specific to each person's needs.

Do you offer Lipotropic Injections (fat burner shots)?

Yes! We offer a specially compounded lipotropic formulation that is designed to give you the best result. Lipotropic injections are available either by themselves or in addition to our other programs. Lipotropic injections help patients lose weight by helping your body break down fat. They also give patients a feeling of increased energy. We started offering them in April 2014 and they quickly became one of our most popular programs.

Do you offer HCG?

NO! The FDA, the American Medical Association, and numerous legitimate scientific studies have stated it is useless for weight loss. Responsible doctors and other medical providers do not consider HCG to be safe and effective for weight loss. More info is here.

Do you accept insurance? Does insurance cover weight loss?

We no longer accept any insurance. This was a tough decision but we feel strongly that this will help us keep our patient costs down. Generally, insurance does not cover weight loss.

What are the age requirements?

Patients under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Patients between 12 and 16 years old are accepted on a case by case basis.

What if I have diabetes or high blood pressure?

We have a wide range of medications at our disposal. As long as your diabetes and/or high blood pressure is under control we should be able to give you medications that are appropriate.

Can I be on the program if I am pregnant or breast feeding?

No. While the medications that we use have not been shown to cause problems with pregnancy or breast feeding, we feel strongly that it is not worth taking chances.

Will you keep my primary care provider informed?

Certainly. Just let us know where to send copies of reports.

Can I order medications over the internet?

NO! We are a responsible medical practice and never prescribe or sell medications over the internet. The only people who should order prescriptions over the internet are those who have a prescription after having been physically seen and evaluated by a physician or other properly licensed caregiver.

How about side effects?

Side effects are possible with any medications. With this in mind, we work hard to select medications that will work best for you. We will continue to adjust your prescription to best fit your needs.

What about exercise programs?

Exercise is an important part of our weight loss program. We will discuss levels of exercise that will best benefit you during your visit.

Who are candidates for these programs?

Not everyone qualifies for our weight loss program. For example, if you only have a couple pounds to lose you may not qualify. If we determine that you do not qualify there is no charge for the office consultation.

Do you accept 'walk-in' patients?

Normally no. We are an extremely busy practice and walk-in patients often have to wait too long to be seen. Please call first to see how busy we are at that moment.